Classic Salmon Rice Bowl (Print)

Savory salmon paired with seasoned rice, creamy sauce, and fresh toppings for a quick meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Rice

01 - 1 cooked salmon fillet (6 oz)
02 - 2 cups cooked white rice, preferably leftover and chilled

→ Seasonings & Sauces

03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
04 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
05 - 1 tablespoon Japanese mayonnaise (e.g., Kewpie)
06 - 1 teaspoon Sriracha or chili sauce (optional)

→ Toppings & Sides

07 - 1 avocado, sliced
08 - 1 sheet roasted seaweed (nori), cut into squares
09 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
10 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
11 - Pickled ginger (optional)
12 - Lemon or lime wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place the cooked salmon fillet in a microwave-safe bowl and flake it thoroughly with a fork.
02 - Top the flaked salmon with cooked rice. If using leftover rice, sprinkle lightly with water to rehydrate.
03 - Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or plastic wrap and microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.
04 - Add soy sauce and sesame oil to the bowl and mix thoroughly to combine salmon and rice.
05 - Drizzle Japanese mayonnaise and, if desired, Sriracha over the mixture.
06 - Top with sliced avocado, spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and pickled ginger as preferred.
07 - Serve alongside roasted seaweed sheets and lemon or lime wedges. Use seaweed sheets to scoop the salmon rice mixture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 25 minutes, which means dinner happens before you've really thought about how hungry you are.
  • The ritual of layering and mixing feels meditative, turning a quick meal into a moment of calm.
  • Endlessly customizable depending on what's in your fridge or what your mood calls for that day.
02 -
  • Cold or room-temperature leftover rice is genuinely your friend here—it absorbs the sauces without turning into mush, so don't feel bad about using yesterday's batch.
  • Japanese mayo changes everything because it's slightly sweet and richer than regular mayo, making the whole bowl taste more refined without you actually doing more work.
03 -
  • Leftover rice is genuinely better for this than freshly cooked rice because it won't absorb moisture and turn mushy when you mix in the sauces.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime or lemon right before eating makes the entire bowl taste sharper and more alive, so don't skip it even if it seems optional.
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